Colonel Meow, Internet star and world's furriest cat, has died

Colonel Meow, the record-breaking cat who captured the Internet’s heart with his long hair and intense stare, died on Wednesday night, his owner Ann Avery announced in a Facebook post.

Today

Colonel Meow, who holds the record Longest Fur on a Cat, has died.

“I will post more about the details when I've had a few days to grieve,” Avery wrote on Thursday evening. “Thank you so much for your understanding, Minions. Your love and support has meant the world to us both.”

A photo posted by Colonel Meow and Friends (@colonelmeowandfriends) on Dec 8, 2013 at 1:32pm PST

In November, Avery announced that the 2-year-old Colonel had been hospitalized due to heart problems. He had already undergone a difficult surgery and blood transfusion, she wrote at the time. She followed that up with a tearful video post expressing her gratitude for the support of Colonel Meow's followers during such a difficult time.

A photo posted by Colonel Meow and Friends (@colonelmeowandfriends) on Nov 22, 2013 at 8:48pm PST

A Himalayan-Persian crossbreed, Colonel Meow rose to Internet stardom after Avery and her husband, Eric Rosario, posted pictures of their scowling kitty to Facebook and Instagram last year. He soon gained a reputation as an adorably fearsome dictator and prodigious scotch drinker.